The Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs is alerting the public to a pet food recall issued in the United States of America by Procter & Gamble Company (P&G).
As the Turks and Caicos Islands purchases most of its pet foods from the United States, the Department of Agriculture is convinced that trade in these products is a likely pathway for pets and pet owners in the TCI to become infected.
Consequently, pet owners and businesses, in particular, are being urged to pay attention to this important alert and take urgent steps to remove any of the items identified from sale and distribution. All commercial enterprises must check pet food in stock for Trade Name, Lot Code, and UPC Code.
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily recalled specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported to date in association with these product lots.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Signs/symptoms of Salmonella: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should seek medical attention.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your local veterinarian or the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Veterinary Services (Animal Health Services Division).
A list of the foods and the relevant codes will be published on the government website www.gov.tc for perusal.
Retailers seeking compensation from their suppliers can contact P&G toll-free at 800-208-0172 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST), or via website at www.iams.com1 or www.eukanuba.com2
